Bon Appétit: Celebrating Julia’s Centenary

Julia Child, the legendary chef who died in 2004 at age 91, did food lovers a great service when she introduced French cuisine to American audiences. Her television show “The French Chef” premiered in 1963, and the likable chef soon had cooks across America serving julienne-style vegetables, beef simmered in red wine, rich casseroles, creamy […]

Today’s Hong Kong: unique blend of Eastern, Western cultures

July 7, 2012 – July 1 marked the 15th anniversary of the transfer of Hong Kong from Britain to China, making Hong Kong one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China (the other is Macau, located across the Pearl River delta from Hong Kong). The city is celebrating the anniversary with […]

‘Dr. Bob’ to donate eye exams, prescription eye wear to chronically ill children

‘Dr. Bob’ to donate eye exams, prescription eye wear to chronically ill children

Eye Pieces Plano Partners with Kidd’s Kids Charity (Plano) June 28, 2012 – Dr. Robert Birenbaum, owner of Eye Pieces – Plano, announced today that he has partnered with the Kidd’s Kids charitable organization by extending his practice’s products and services at no cost to the children served by the charity.   Beginning immediately, every child […]

Walk your talk

Our children are inundated with demands from the adults in their lives. At times all those words may sound like a never-ending torrent. I’m reminded of a YouTube video that made the rounds a couple years ago of The Mom Song, three minutes of commands sung to the William Tell Overture. What an exhausting way […]

Think before you talk

“You throw that ball and you’re grounded for a month.” “You talk back one more time and I’ll give your bicycle away.” “You don’t eat your peas, you won’t be able to have dessert.” The traps we can fall into as we work with children.  In our efforts to have our children change their behavior, […]

An iron hand in a velvet glove

Oh, what challenges we have as parents trying to find the right fit for our parenting style.  If we come down too strong on an issue, we think perhaps our need for control is bubbling over.  If we ignore a problem or allow bad behavior to get its way, maybe we’ve given our power away. […]

Nothing beats Crape Myrtles for summer color

Every year when the weather turns warm, we are treated to the dazzling floral displays of blooming crape myrtles…and their colorful show lasts through September.  This Texas jewel has one of the longest blooming seasons; plus they are among the toughest, most adaptable plants around. Crape myrtles come in so many sizes now that they […]

Rockwall YMCA recognizes Father of the Year

Rockwall YMCA recognizes Father of the Year

No matter how you choose to celebrate Father’s Day, you can thank a woman named Sonora Louise Smart Dodd for the tradition. Father’s Day history begins with this resident of Spokane,Washington. She was the oldest of six children who were raised by their father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, after their mother died during […]